Sunday, July 01, 2007

Relatively unknown to outsiders, there exists a wonder of nature hidden deep within the outskirts of Iba, Zambales. In fact, even most of the inhabitants of Iba are oblivious of the beautiful Twin Waterfalls of Sta. Barbara.

After taking a two-hour long bus ride towards northern Zambales we finally reached its capital city, Iba, where Ramon Magsaysay (the third President of the Third Republic of the Philippines) was born. From there, we talked with some of the locals asking them whether they knew the whereabouts of the Twin Waterfalls. They mentioned the beaches of Botolan, the San Juan highlands, and the mountain resort at Mt. Tapulao in Palauig, but no one could claim that they've been to or that they are aware of the Twin Waterfalls. The tricycle drivers were already talking amongst each other as to what price they should charge to take us to one of the tourist spots they mentioned. However, adamant about finding what I came to look for and settling for nothing else, I decided to search for the Twin Falls myself.

Based on information that a river crosses through one of Iba's deep barangays that is Sta. Barbara, we opted to travel there to try our luck. Zooming through empty roads, we weaved our way into the distant barangay. When we arrived, we spoke with some of the locals. We were not disappointed as it seemed they knew what I was referring to. After negotiating on a price, we were off.

Soon we were no longer on paved road and homes could no longer be seen. The pathway was now quite rocky, similar to that of the route taken to The Simple Stream. But the tricycle was powerful and made it through with no problems. I looked at the body for a name, expecting to read Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, or Honda. It was none of these. I noted the brand, "Maton."

Past a deep slope, we would reach a wide stream. The tricycle stopped and so we had to make the rest of the way by foot. Luscious rolling green mountains could be seen in the distance. The scene would have been complete in its natural state had there not been a large truck in the middle of the stream. Apparently unfamiliar with the saying "Take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footsteps," they were washing their vehicle in the stream, which was reeking of gasoline. I took a photograph of the front of their truck displaying their license plate number CPE 865.

We trekked through a red muddy pathway which led us to another portion of the stream. We would now follow this stream until we reached the waterfalls. On the way, I thought to myself and hoped that the site would be worth the trip. I thought about the money, effort, and time spent. While walking alongside the stream and crisscrossing different parts of it for quite a while, I became focused upon my footing on the rocks and did notice that we had arrived.

Immediately upon lifting my head, with my mouth partly formed in a smile but with my jaw dropped, my delight and surprise was expressed. Water gushed out from giant boulders that were even more massive than the rocks at Balon Falls. And the size of the falls itself was incomparable. The water rushed down several feet from the top of the boulders. This being my first time to encounter a waterfall of such size and magnificence, I was truly in awe. And not only that, the Twin Waterfalls was only a part of the whole scene. This natural water formation was actually a cascade of waterfalls. Excited, I took off my clothes and jumped into the water to take some photographs. I handed Thurman to Liza as they waited below. Apparently, Liza was already in a bad mood or sumpong from the trek as she's not too much of an extreme adventurer (but likes to tag along), but the scene was too wondrous to leave without some photographs.

I crossed the waist-deep pond over to the slick slope where white veins of water weaved down. I made my way up slowly and carefully, meticulously choosing the location of footsteps. The rocks were quite slippery. And running water made it even more difficult to climb. I must say that climbing up a large, rocky and slippery slope with a camera is a very challenging task. One must have to be careful not to get the camera wet and also not fall at the same time. So you are literally climbing with three limbs as the other is reserved to protect the camera. And at the same time, you have to think and prioritize when to let go of that camera just in case the time comes that you do slip and fall, as climbing in such a situation is also potentially hazardous. One slip could be it. One slip and you fall into the rushing water, you may no longer be able to grasp the slippery rocks as you are taken away down the waterfalls and smashing into rocks.

Adrenalin rushing, I maneuvered through the rock formations of the cascade of waterfalls, pausing every now and then to take some shots. I noted aloud that although beautiful, the site was also dangerous due to the slippery rocks and awkward pathways, sometimes requiring for one to hop between boulders The guide smiled and replied that one must just have to be extremely careful. "This is also the place where locals come to commit suicide," he added. He kept on walking and took us higher up the cascade of waterfalls to reveal another large waterfall formation just above the Twin waterfalls. This one seemed more like Siamese waterfalls as it is two falls conjoining as it crashes down. And above the Siamese Waterfalls are another set of smaller rolling waterfalls, which make a nice place to bathe and enjoy the scenery.

Going back down was just as difficult as going up, or perhaps harder as sometimes the same route cannot be taken. I suddenly heard a loud thump. It was our guide. He actually ended up slipping and falling on some rocks but luckily did not fall into the rushing water.

Soon we made it down, fairly satisfied with the photographs taken. It would have been nice to stay for a while as one would be swayed to bathe in the glorious water or perhaps beneath the waterfalls instead of making the long trip out, but some circumstances prevented this. And so, we headed back, enjoying nature's splendor instead through the eyes of my camera.

19 comments:

just as u are for the promotion, progression and preservation of the philippines.. the philippines too should take into account ur promotion, progression and preservation.. u are doing so much good for our motherland.. i call out to all philippine companies to make some action to sponsor you and your journey, and the department of tourism to add to that.. and i call on to all readers of this blog to help in this action! mabuhay ka coconuter! at mabuhay ang pilipinas!

I commend you for finding yet another hidden gem in this beautiful country of ours. Your pictures are great.

And may I say, and I'm sure you will agree, that you haven't barely scratched the surface yet. There are still places that still awaits discovery and even some that have been lost even before majority of us who appreciate nature have seen them. And still, some are being systematically destroyed like what they did with Boracay Island in Aklan and what is now slowly happening to the islands in Palawan and most recently, what those Koreans are planning to do with Taal in Tagaytay.

I just hope this Iba Twin Falls or whatever it is called (did you ask the locals what this falls is called), not befall what happened with the Maria Cristina in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte and the Hinulugang Taktak of Antipolo, Rizal.

I hate to think that one day, all that will remind us of these precious nature's gems are pictures that we have taken of its once pristine and virgin state. Huwag naman po sana.

Great pics of this adventure David. Love the one with you and Thurman on the bus.

Your trips up north are incredible. Was just wondering if you plan to go down south... to Cebu, Boracay, Palawan, Davao and the like. These tourist spots (though it may be too commercialized for your taste) are where urban pinoys escape to. Maybe you'd like to find out why?

All I can say.."wheeewww"! A very nice adventure. I wonder how could you know those places that even those people residing nearby don't have any idea of that twin falls or whatsoever. Maybe they are busy doing their whereabouts...hahaha.. that is why they don't care of places such as this.

I love you David for doing this so.You've got the heart of the people.Hope you won't change.GOD bless you...